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This Fourth of July, Walt Disney World will be the backdrop to a realization of dreams for more than 1,000 immigrants. In the first mass naturalization ever held at the Orlando resort, immigrants from dozens of countries around the world will become U.S. citizens.

What does it mean to be an American citizen? Tell us what July 4 means to you.

Two-hundred and thirty-one years ago, America declared its independence so its citizens could have freedom from oppression. The situation is very similar for many of the immigrants being sworn into this country. Many have turned to America for a chance at a better life, as defined by the opportunities granted each citizen in the U.S. Constitution and by the civil and human rights that differentiate the United States from other developed nations. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalizes—or grants citizenship status to—nearly 700,000 individuals a year, which gives foreign-born citizens the same rights as natural-born citizens under the law.

"Citizenship is the most precious gift that our country can bestow upon anyone," says Emilio Gonzalez, director of the USCIS. "It's altogether fitting that as we welcome new citizens in locations from Guam to Iraq and Orlando to Seattle, we pause to realize that our newest citizens have given up their past lives in the pursuit of their individual American dreams."

For inspiring stories of 10 successful immigrants, read the upcoming September issue of DiversityInc magazine, which features personal narratives, passionate dialogue and talk about the tough issues from immigrants from around the world.

Such opportunity stems from America's rich tradition in valuing differences while simultaneously honoring the similarities inherent in each citizen as being part of the human race. In 1776, the call for equality came from our country's forefathers in the form of a document, crafted by Thomas Jefferson, called the Declaration of Independence.

"May it be to the world, what I believe it will be ... the signal of arousing men to burst the chains ... and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form, which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion," wrote Jefferson of the Declaration. "All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. ... For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them."

Read the full Declaration of Independence.

What Independence Day Really Means

The Fourth of July has long been a tribute to the realization of dreams and potential and is a symbol of America's evolution. In honoring this nation's strength and commemorating the 231st anniversary of its independence from England, we must recognize both the cultural and economic contributions of immigrants who have come to America.

Impressively, immigrants have accounted for 47 percent of U.S. work-force growth since 2000, according to the Population Reference Bureau. Immigrants and their children will account for all of the growth in the U.S. work force between 2010 and 2030.

Duke University research recently showed that  foreign-born entrepreneurs create one in four U.S. technology startups and are jointly responsible for employing 450,000 workers in the United States, generating $52 billion in sales in 2005. Attracting these venture capitalists remains a critical competitive edge in today's technology-based global economy, aiding in the creation of new jobs and sparking innovation.

Undocumented and documented workers bring an estimated $330 billion into the U.S. economy, according to an Urban Institute estimate derived from adding immigrants' estimated yearly earnings ($240 billion) to what they pay in annual taxes ($90 billion). In light of the growing debate over immigration reform, these numbers cannot be ignored.

Let us not forget that we stand on the shoulders of foreign-born forefathers from countries all over the world. Walt Disney World is one of many organizations standing proud in support of America's tradition of providing freedom and opportunity to all. Disney's July 4 ceremony is one of numerous mass naturalizations held across the country this month, including two that took place last week in Miami, legalizing more than 6,000 immigrants.

At Disney, a chorus of a thousand foreign voices will pledge the oath of allegiance at the Cinderella Castle. The future U.S. citizens will be sworn in by Emilio Gonzalez. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., who is Cuban American and a champion of immigration reform, will deliver the keynote speech, and Cuban-American Grammy-award-winning singer Gloria Estefan will perform the national anthem.

For more on the history of immigration, read the April 2006 issue of DiversityInc magazine.

The Fight for Immigration Reform

The immigration-reform bill died in the Senate last Thursday after months of political stalemate and major objections from both parties. Both Democrats and Republicans were dissatisfied with certain clauses of the bill, which led to the legislation's ultimate demise. Even members of the Latino community were split as to whether that particular bill was the answer to the nation's longstanding immigration problems.

However, everyone agrees there needs to be a humane and sensible response from the government on the future of immigration reform. Thousands of undocumented workers living and working in the United States and millions of U.S. citizens feel the time has come for the country to reconcile its differences and put a positive face forward.

For the latest news on immigration reform, check out DiversityInc's web site every day. (Scroll down for all recent immigration stories.)

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